Planning consultancy expands into Yorkshire

PLANNING consultancy Steve Hesmondhalgh & Associates is expanding after launching an operation in Yorkshire.

Headed by managing director Steve Hesmondhalgh, the North East consultancy has made the move to relocate its main office to North Yorkshire on the back of a raft of new contracts for clients based in the region, while retaining a smaller base in County Durham.

Hesmondhalgh said: “There is growing economic optimism in North Yorkshire and we are seeing an increase in the number of clients who recognise the potential for development, which can only be good news for the local and regional economy. Our new offices in Harrogate reflect this confidence and we’re looking forward to working on some exciting schemes.”

Hesmondhalgh and associate planner Craig Stockley have more than 30 years of planning industry experience between them and work closely with a team of consultants that includes architects, economic and housing policy consultants, transport engineers, ecologists and landscape architects.

“We’ve built a reputation in the North East for delivering viable, commercially attractive schemes,” said Hesmondhalgh. “The new economic reality we are working in means planners must adopt a pragmatic approach, and we offer clients sensible schemes that satisfy the needs of landowners, funders, and planning authorities alike.”

He added: “Changes to policy and incentives from government will all change the UK’s landscape in the coming years: there are great opportunities throughout North Yorkshire in both villages and urban areas.”

With a background in both local authority planning and private practice, Hesmondhalgh ran one of the North’s largest independent planning teams within a law firm at BHP in Newcastle.